Get your trip off to superb start by studying up on Charmes-sur-Rhone before you head off.
If you journey 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of Portes-les-Valence, or 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Saint-Peray, you'll end up in Charmes-sur-Rhone.
Around 2,000 people live in this area of Ardeche, so there are loads of opportunities to meet the locals.
Attended for public worship and quiet prayer, Valence Cathedral is a distinguished landmark. That said, you need not be the church-going type to appreciate this serene place. Want more options? A wise man once said, "The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." Wonder at the intriguing works at Valence Museum, and take a couple of minutes to envisage the story of each piece. And that's not all. If you’re looking for some spiritual enlightenment on your vacation, drop by Eglise de St-Jean. Who knows, you might even discover the answers to some of life's most essential questions!